Aquarium Curator

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 11-03-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Seymour Marine Discovery Center is a science center/museum located at UCSC's Coastal Science Campus.

More information can be found at: https://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/

JOB SUMMARY

The Aquarium Curator is responsible for curating and maintaining live animal exhibits, which includes animal husbandry, equipment maintenance, permits and compliance, and creation and maintenance of budgets. The Aquarium Curator supervises student assistants.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $33.01/hour - $42.66/hour. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Monday to Friday, but can be variable depending on animal welfare needs.
• Shift Includes: Days, Evenings, Weekends

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UCSC Coastal Science Campus - Seymour Marine Center

Union Representation: RX Union

Job Code Classification: 009723 (MUSEUM SCI)

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

60% - Husbandry Operations

• Oversee all husbandry functions related to the Marine Discovery Center.
• Setup, maintain, and care for aquarium exhibits, holding tanks, life-support systems.
• Setup, maintain, and care for aquaria in education "wet lab" classroom.
• Detect, diagnose, and treat diseases in marine organisms.
• Develop and implement MDC animal handling policies and procedures.
  Procure and maintain food items for aquarium animals.
• Prepare animal diets.
• Acquire and maintain appropriate collecting permits (CDFG) and animal use permits (CARC) and ensure compliance with all relevant aquarium regulations.
• Build and maintain husbandry budget.

30% - Exhibit Development & Maintenance

• Research best-practices in aquarium design, display, and visitor experiences and proactively propose upgrades.
• Procure new specimens for display in alignment with Seymour Center vision and visitor experience goals.
• Plan, design, and construct, and install wet exhibits.
• Design, develop and construct wet exhibits, holding tanks, and life-support systems on an on-going basis.
• Develop and procure wet exhibit content, including but not limited to written content, images and supplementary objects.
• Obtain and replace wet exhibit components when needed.
• Obtain and replace cleaning tools and supplies as needed.
• Preserve the appearance and functionality of wet exhibits.
• Build and maintain wet exhibit budget.

10% - Team Oversight

• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate student employees.
• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate volunteer aquarists and interns.
• Manage and establish priority of work assignments, and motivate aquarists to assist in the general maintenance of aquarium displays, holding tanks and other exhibits.
• Provide direction and leadership to instill a sense of teamwork and commitment in volunteer aquarists and interns.
• Develop and implement training and ongoing educational instruction for volunteer aquarists and interns.
• Maintain aquarist training materials and educational resources.
• Build and maintain staffing budget.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from college with specialization in Marine Biology or related field and one year of experience in curatorial work or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team.
• Familiarity with current marine research.
  Demonstrated flexibility with ability to work on own initiative.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and electronic imaging software.
• Experience collecting and handling marine fish and invertebrates.
• Related experience as a marine aquarist.
• Experience developing training materials and implementing instruction in areas of aquarium husbandry, subtidal
  collection, and marine biology.
• Demonstrated ability to use and instruct others how to operate specialized aquarist tools (siphons, pumps, etc.) and other husbandry equipment.
• Experience maintaining aquarium exhibits and animal health including disease diagnosis and treatment.
• Experience in design, planning, and construction of marine exhibits and husbandry support areas including interpretive panels.
• Knowledge of marine flora and fauna of the Central California Coast.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with the propagation, care, and long-term maintenance of scyphozoan jellies.
• Scuba certification or ability to obtain certificate.
• Excellent organizational skills, with ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines and produce accurate work.
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with diverse groups (senior citizens, students, young children) of people.
• Excellent group management skills.
• Experience supervising, training, assigning and monitoring work with ability to motivate staff to work effectively and efficiently.
  

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Ability to perform work in a rugged physical environment and inclement weather with challenging infrastructure requirements.
• Ability to work in conditions of variable temperature/weather with possible exposure to strong, unpleasant odors, high levels of noise and vibrations, and exposure to dust and allergens.
• Ability to ascend/descend ladders with or without accommodation.
• Ability to sustain exposure to dusty, noisy environments and inclement weather as necessary to carry out assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to occasionally work overtime with little or no advance notice.
• Ability to respond to emergencies after hours as necessary.
• Ability to work overtime including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays to meet operational needs, and work an alternate work schedule shift as required.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.

Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.